The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-16

the manifestation Of that spirit shown
by him when in the attitude of prayer.
What that is, his prayer in the garden
of Gethsemane, and the one which he
taught the disciples in the sermon on
the Mount-the Lords prayer-clearly
reveal: mot as L will, but as thou
wilt" "Thy will be DONE"
Submission to and faith in the will
and wisdom of God, therefore, indi-
cate themselves to be what constitutes
a truly prayerful spirit. If men could
only be brought to sincerely enter into
this frame of mind, it may be conf
deutly affirmed, there would not be
much difficulty or disbelief among them
concerning prayer-its reality and pow
er /; for they would assuredly behold it
in it's God-intended purpose and end.
When praying, there would be little
liability Of their asking for that which
it were not advisable for God to grant
them: or, moreover, in seeking what
might be dear to their very hearts, they
would confidently leave all to the will
and wisdom of God, cognizant that he
is good-a Father of infinite love and
tender mercies-a and hence knows what
is best, far better than do his children
in their mere fniteness-and does only
that which will contribute to the high
est good Of his creation; while that his
every act is but a revelation Of his eter-
nal love, and the furtherance of his
divineplan. Accordingly, what seasons
of disappointment, misery and anguish
would thereby be averted or lightened
by the many in the world to-day.
Conscious that SO large percentage
of men almost, if not totally, neglect
any communion with God, whatever
the existing cause seems to be the lack
of knowledge of its nature and object
which decidedly show themselves tC
have been designed for the benefit and
advancement Of mankind.
Of truth, where else can man re.
ceive such needful aid as he at all times
finds indeed acceptable, than from the
God who made him ? And in what
other way can this be obtained thar
through prayer, the means which Goo
has provided for the very purpose
All how true the lines that,
There are briers besetting every path
That call for patient care;
There is cross in every lot,
And an earnest need of prayer;
But lonely heart that leans on God,
Is happy anywhere"
A too exhaustive consideration Of thS
subject of prayer, my friends, cannot be
made for communication with God i:
emphatieally too needful to life to be il
any way disregarded. 1t is not an ex
action, but grand and blessed priv
ilege which God has accorded us to &C
knowledge before him our obligation:
for the precious blessings OF life, and al
indications Of his providential care
and from grateful hearts to render hin
the thanksgiving and praises due hi
holy name and to seek his wisdom an(
power in all circumstances of life. 80
the depth of the riches both Of the wis
dom and knowledge of God How I'm
searchable are the acts of his provi
dence, and his ways past finding out"
Let us, then, as il obviously behooye'
us, not hesitate to always embrace th'
opportunities of prayer, to the glory O
God and our own moral upbuilding. Ii
the language of Paul to the Thessaloni
ans, let us pray without ceasing"-that
is, constantly be in prayerful spirit
by living so righteously-so Christ.like
that we shall ever be prepared to turr
our souls to God in true, earnest prayer